It’s still unknown when Robert Service Way will be re-opened to traffic, Mayor Laura Cabott told reporters during a media briefing this morning.

Cabott said the risk of further landslides remains high, and at this point, it’s still too risky to send crews into the area to clean up the roadway.

A major landslide came down early last Saturday morning, about 200 metres north of the landslide that occured on April 30, 2022.

“The escarpment along Robert Service Way continues to show signs of instability,” Cabott said.

In addition to Robert Service Way, portions of the Millennium Trail, the Upper Escarpment Trail and trails along the lower escarpment are also closed until further notice.

Cabott said crews are installing fencing along those trails to reinforce the message that people should not go into the area.

The city, she said, is continuing to communicate to the public the dangers of the area and the importance of staying away.

They have provided pamphlets to residents living near or below the escarpment regarding how to be prepared for evacuation, and staff will be going door-to-door to provide that information, just as they did last year, she said.

City engineer Taylor Eshpeter explained the city has developed a danger assessment scale for the likelihood of further slides, with zero meaning the road can be opened.

Level one would allow for some one-lane traffic at certain times of the day when the risks are lower, such as in the mornings, before it warms up.

Level two is a complete closure as the risks of a slide are high, he said.

Cabott said two weeks ago, they were at level zero, but the situation is at level two today.

Eshpeter said in addition to the monitoring equipment they have installed, they are planning to set up a radar-based, slope scanner monitoring system next week to provide real-time information regarding escarpment movements.

The city is working with geotechnical engineering consultants to quantify risks of geohazards to inform road and trail closures, he said.

He said the preliminary assessment work has identified that the level of risk warrants mitigation measures.

The city has completed a temporary sanitary sewer bypass, he said.

There was fear the Takhini trunk line was susceptible to landslide as it runs along the escarpment.

Eshpeter pointed out the city has set up a partial Emergency Response Centre to bring together select staff and available experts.

The city is also asking residents to sign up to Whitehorse Alert to ensure they receive notices of alerts, he said.

He added the city is asking residents to share the information and updates posted by the city at Whitehorse.engage, just in case neighbours and friends do not have access to the information.

The most recent slide has characteristics of a dryer slide than last year, he said.

Eshpeter said new tension cracks have formed in the area and are showing significant signs of movement.

The city continues to explore different options for a long-term solution but it’s not there yet, he said.

He did acknowledge options could include triggering slides in susceptible areas, much like how avalanche threats are dealt with.

Included in his presentation was a photo of the area of last year’s slide which highlighted unstable sections above the site that are still very much a threat, he explained.

Cabott said there is the possibility of providing free transit in light of the road closure to encourage people to take the bus rather than drive.

That was done after the 2022 closure.

Taking the bus, starting the day earlier and vehicle-pooling are ways to help reduce traffic congestion, she said.

She said there is also the possibility of adjusting the timing on traffic lights to help with traffic flow.

Cleaning up last year’s slide and installing sheet metal piling cost an estimated $3 million.

Cabott asaid earlier this week a long-term solution to the escarpment problem is likely to be very expensive, in the tens of millions of dollars, perhaps even $100 million. Staff just don’t know at this point, she said.

Eshpeter said engineering assessments of potential long-term solutions to Robert Service Way are on going and will inform an application to the Disaster and Mitigation Fund.

Robert Service Way was closed for almost seven weeks after the 2022 slide.